Rocker shaft support with fuel nozzle supporting means



Sept. 8, 1970 CARNEY ETAL 3,527,253

ROCKER SHAFT SUPPORT WITH FUEL NOZZLE SUPPORTING MEANS Filed Sept. 4, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTORS ROSWELL E. CARNEY FRANK C. DRUZYNSKI BY A, AM, 31M

ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1970 CARNEY ET AL 3,527,263

ROCKER SHAFT SUPPORT WITH FUEL NOZZLE SUPPORTING MEANS Filed Sept. 4. 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS ROSWELL E. CARNEY FRANK C. DRUZYNSKI W Mfi/l ATTORNEYS Sept. 8, 1970 R. E. CARNEY ET AL 3,527,263

RQCKER SHAFT SUPPORT WITH FUEL NOZZLE SUPPORTING MEANS 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 1, 1968 INVENTQRS ROSWELL E. CARNEY FRANK C, DRUZYNSKI BY fi uaz, M f

AIIOBNEYS Sept. 8, 1970 I CARNEY ETAL 3,527,263

ROCKER SHAFT SUPPORT WITH FUEL NOZZLE SUPPORTING MEANS Filed Sept. 4, 1968 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTORS 56 .42 ROSWELL E. CARNEY FRANK c. DRUZYNSKI United States Patent 3,527,263 ROCKER SHAFT SUPPORT WITH FUEL NOZZLE SUPPORTING MEANS Roswell E. Carney, Grosse Pointe Woods, and Frank C.

Druzynski, Birmingham, Mich., assignors to Continental Aviation and Engineering Corporation, Detroit,

Mich, a corporation of Virginia Filed Sept. 4, 1968, Ser. No. 757,277 Int. Cl. F01i 1/02 US. Cl. 123-32 14 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention discloses a novel rocker shaft support structure for an internal combustion engine by which the fuel nozzle is supported in substantially vertical position by the rocker shaft support and by the cylinder head of the engine and is further provided with fasteners to secure the rocker shaft support to the engine block.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention The present invention relates generally to internal combustion engines and more particularly to internal combustion engines having a fuel injection system. More specifically the invention relates to such fuel injection systems of the on-center type as distinguished from the more common off-center fuel injection systems in which the fuel injection nozzle protrudes through the side of the cylinder head. In an on-center type of fuel injection system the fuel injection nozzle is inserted through the rocker arm box cover to protrude through the cylinder head into the engine block for communication with the combustion chamber between the intake and exhaust valve openings. Such structure is for instance shown in United States Pat. No. 2,858,813 issued to H. H. Haas.

In these prior constructions of centered injection nozzles considerable difficulties were encountered to properly support the injector tube assembly within the cylinder head and yet provide sufficient clearance for the rocker arm structure for the adjacent valves and the present invention provides novel means by which the centered injector assembly is supported in the cylinder head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, the invention as disclosed herein comprises a rocker arm structure pivoted on the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine and in the present instance provides as a novel feature a support block supporting the rocker arm and an injector assembly in centered relation relative to the engine block and a clamping plate in line with the support block to locate the injector assembly and to hold the injector assembly down on the cylinder block housing seat.

Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel support and hold down structure for a centered fuel injector assembly for an internal combustion engine which simultaneously provides a pivot support for the rocker arm of the valve mechanism.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a novel rocker arm shaft support with separate clamping means located on the support to center and clamp an injector assembly to the engine block and to adjustably hold the nozzle of the injector assembly against its seat in the cylinder head.

Further objects and novel features will become evident from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part of the description.

3,527,263 Patented Sept. 8, 1970 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an engine with parts broken away for clarity and which embodies the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an engine block as seen when the valve cover has been removed;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial plan view of the block in FIG. 2 showing the pertinent structure in more detail; and

FIG. 4 is a cross section through the novel structure taken along line 4-4- of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to FIG. 1 there is illustrated in a partly cut away perspective view an internal combustion engine 10 in which the present invention is embodied. The engine 10 includes a crankcase 12, cylinder block 14, cylinder head 16 and valve cover 18. Further, a supercharger 20, compressor 22 and the usual accessory drives 24, 26 may be provided to drive the compressor 22 and generator 28 from the engine crankshaft (not shown).

The present novel structure is associated with the valve mechanism of the engine located on top of the cylinder head 16 and enclosed by the valve cover 18 as seen at 30 through the break-away portion of the valve cover.

With further reference to FIG. 2 which is a top plan view of one side of the engine 10 with the valve cover 18 removed, the cylinder head 16 is formed on top of a bank of cylinders 32, 32a and 32b within the cylinder block each of which has the usual intake and exhaust valve openings 34 and 36 respectively disposed to one side of the cylinder 32 in the bottom portion 15 of the cylinder head 16. The intake and exhaust valve openings 34, 36 are adapted to receive the usual valves 38 each having a valve stem 40 (FIG. 4) which is connected to one end of a rocker arm 42. The rocker arms 42 for either intake or exhaust valves are identical and are adapted to provide reciprocatory motion to the valves 38 in timed sequence to alternately open and close the valve openings 34, 36 as is well known. The rocker arms 42 are pivotally supported intermediate their ends on a common rocker arm shaft 44 extending longitudinally above the top of the cylinder head 16. The free ends 43 of the rocker arms 42 are connected to a conventional valve lifter mechanism (not shown) actuated by the usual engine driven camshaft (not shown).

Positioned substantially in the center of the cylinders 32 closely adjacent but between the valve openings 34, 36 are apertures 46 extending within the top portion 13 of the cylinder head 16, as shown in FIG. 4. The apertures 46 receive a cylindrical sleeve 48 adapted to receive a fuel injector assembly 50 only one of which is shown in the drawings although it will be understood that the remaining cylinders 32a and 3211 are similarly constructed.

With particular reference to FIG. 4 the cylindrical sleeves 48 which may be press fitted within the apertures 46 extend through the cooling jacket 17 of the cylinder head 16 into a counterbored seat portion 54 of an aperture 56 in the bottom portion 15 of the cylinder head 16 which is axially aligned with aperture 46 in the top portion 13. The sleeve 48 is adapted to receive and support the fuel injector assembly 50 which has a tip portion 60 provided with a nozzle opening 62 which opens into the combustion chamber of the cylinder 32. The tip portion 60 is inserted in the end 64 of the injector assembly 50 which end is adapted to sealingly abut onto a sealing member 66 in the bottom of the counterbored seat portion 54.

Again referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 the rocker arm shaft 44 is nonrotatably supported along its length between the rocker arms 42 of each pair of rocker arms within a block 68 of substantially rectangular longitudinal cross section as seen in FIG. 4. In the plan views of FIGS. 2 and 3 it can be seen that the supporting iblock comprises a wide portion 70 to provide sufficient cross section for a solid support of the shaft 44. The wide portion 70 recedes into a smaller mid portion 72 having an aperture 7.3 through which the injector assembly 50 extends in a direction normal to the axis of the rocker arm shaft 44 and then into an end portion 74 of further reduced width. The longitudinal ends of the support block 68 are provided with apertures 76 for the passage of bolts 78 therethrough to secure the block 68 to the upper planar surface 81) of the cylinder head 16 to provide a tight abutment contact with the planar bottom surface 82 of the block along the entire length thereof when the bolts 78 are tightened. The wide portion 70 of the block which receives the rocker arm shaft 44 is split horizontally as at 84 from its ends to the shaft surface along a plane containing the axis of the shaft 44 so that upon tightening of the bolt 78 at that end a clamping effect will be exerted on the shaft 44 to tightly, nonrotatably clamp the shaft within the block 68.

The block bolts 78 are each provided with pins 86 extending upwardly therefrom a suflicient distance to support an elongated clamping plate 88 of substantially elliptical shape in plan view as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3. The widened mid portion 90 of the clamping plate 88 is of thicker cross section than the ends of the plate for equalized stress distribution and is provided with an aperture 92 adapted to receive the upper end portion 51 of the injector assembly 50. Attached to the upper end portion 51 of the injector assembly 50* is a fuel inlet assembly 94 which has a conduit 96 connected to the compressor assembly 22. In the assembly the fuel inlet 94 will be positioned between the upper surface 83 of the support block 68 and the clamping plate 88 which will be clamped down upon the fuel inlet 94 by means of nuts 98 threaded on the pins 86 to thus exert a downward force upon the injector assembly 50 totightly seat the lower end 64 of the fuel injector onto the seating member 66 in the seat portion 54. The suspended clamping plate 88 is somewhat resilient due to its reduced end portions providing a plate type spring effect in order to equalize stresses and to absorb the vibrations from the engine without breakage and to prevent the fuel injector assembly from shaking loose during operation of the engine. Thus, the injector assembly 50 will always be held tight against its seat under all operating conditions.

Lubrication for the rocker arm bearings 100 is provided by means of aligned passages 102 and 104 within the cylinder head 16 and support block 68 respectively adapted to convey lubricant from the engines lubricating system (not shown) into the interior 45 of the rocker arm shaft 44 from which the lubricant flows by means of transverse passages 106 into the respective rocker arm bearings 100.

Thus, by the present invention, a novel, universal, combined rocker arm shaft and injector support is provided which in conjunction with a novel resilient clamping means assures a tight seating fit of the injector assembly under all operating conditions of the engine and provides a secure accurate alignment and support for the rocker arm shaft.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departingfrom the spirit and essential characteristics thereof, therefore, the present embodiment is to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.

What is claimed is:

1. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder block and a cylinder head defining a plurality of cylinders, a plurality of support blocks secured to said cylinder head with one of said support blocks being disposed above each of said cylinders, a rocker arm shaft supported by said support blocks and extending substantially the length of said cylinder head, a plurality of rocker arms pivotally mounted on said rocker arm shafts, said rocker arms being positioned in pairs with one rocker arm of each of said pairs being disposed on each side of said support block, fuel injection nozzle structures supported by an extending through said support blocks and through said cylinder head into said cylinders, and individual clamping means securing said fuel injection nozzle structures to said support blocks and to said cylinder head from the top.

2. In the internal combustion engine defined in claim 1, said cylinder head being provided with sealed seat portions for said fuel injection nozzle structures and said clamping means adapted to firmly seat said fuel injection nozzle structures upon said seat portions by downward adjustment of said clamping means.

3. In the internal combustion engine defined in claim 2, said fuel injection nozzle structures attached to separate fuel intake fittings positioned between said support blocks and said clamping means so that upon tightening of said clamping means upon said fuel intake fittings said fuel injection nozzle means will be displaced relative to said support blocks and to said seat portions in said cylinder head.

4. An internal combustion engine of the fuel injection type comprising a cylinder block, a cylinder head and a rocker arm box positioned one above the other, a rocker arm shaft longitudinally extending within said rocker arm box, rocker arms pivotally positioned along said rocker arm shaft, spaced support blocks secured to said cylinder head between adjacent rocker arms, said rocker arm shaft extending through said support blocks and being supported thereby, fuel injection nozzle structure supported by and extending through said support blocks and through said cylinder head and individual clamping means securing said fuel injection nozzle structures to said support blocks and said cylinder head, said clamping means comprising a substantially flat plate having materially reduced end portions and a midportion of substantially increased cross section, pins extending through said end portions provided with tightening means, said fuel injection nozzle structure extending through said midportion and having abutment means in abutment with said midportion so that upon tightening of said tightening means a dowward force will be exerted upon said fuel injection nozzle structure.

5. In a fuel injection type internal combustion engine having a cylinder block and a cylinder head directly above which is provided with spaced top and bottom portions, a longitudinally aligned first group of coaxial apertures in said top and bottom portions arranged in pairs defining intake and exhaust valve openings, a second group of coaxial apertures in said top and bottom portions offset from the longitudinal center of said first group of apertures positioned between adjacent apertures of each pair of said first group of apertures, a cylindrical injection nozzle structure disposed in each of said second group of apertures, the apertures disposed in the bottom portion of said cylinder head defining a seat for said injection nozzle structure, spaced support means attached to the top of said cylinder head between said valve openings having an aperture axially aligned with said second group of apertures to allow said cylindrical injection nozzle structure to extend therethrough, rocker arms disposed adjacent each side of said support means for association with said valve openings and being pivotally supported on a common shaft extending longitudinally above said cylinder head, said shaft being nonrotatably supported within said spaced support means, and clamping means associated with and secured to said support means in spaced relation thereto adapted to clamp said injection nozzle structure onto said seat.

6. In the fuel injection type internal combustion engine defined in claim 5, said support means comprising a substantially rectangular block having fastening means at both its longitudinal ends for securing said block to said cylinder head and having a transverse aperture to receive said shaft, said block having a split extending from one of its longitudinal ends to said transverse aperture providing a resilient block portion adjacent said aperture so that upon tightening of said fastening means said shaft will be securely locked in said block.

7. In the fuel injection type internal combustion engine defined in claim -6, said fastening means comprising bolts having pins integral therewith and extending upwardly therefrom for support of said clamping means.

8. In the fuel injection type internal combustion engine defined in claim 5, said clamping means comprising a resilient plate having a central aperture adapted for the extension of said injection nozzle structure therethrough and fastening means to secure said plate to said support means.

9. In the fuel injection type internal combustion engine defined in claim 8, said resilient plate being of thicker cross section around said central aperture than the remainder of said plate.

10. The fuel injection type internal combustion engine as defined in claim 7, further comprising tightening means to secure said clamping means to said pins in spaced relation to said block.

11. The fuel injection type internal combustion engine as defined in claim 5, further comprising a fuel inlet fitting attached to said injection nozzle structure disposed between said support means and said clamping means and adapted to be in abutment with said clamping means so that upon tightening of said clamping means said injection nozzle structure will be moved downwardly upon said seat within said bottom portion of said cylinder head.

12. A subassembly for use in an internal combustion engine of the fuel injection type, comprising in combination a cylinder head, a support attached to said cylinder head, a rocker shaft clamp in said support, a fuel injection nozzle structure extending through said support and into said cylinder head, abutment means attached to said fuel injection nozzle structure above said support, separate clamping means in overlying relationship to said support and spaced therefrom by said abutment means, said clamping means comprising a substantially flat plate having a central aperture adapted for extension of said fuel injection nozzle structure therethrough, and adjustable fastening means to tighten said clamping means upon said abutment means to displace said fuel injection nozzle structure relative to said support and to said cylinder head.

13. A subassembly for use in an internal combustion engine of the fuel injection type comprising in combination a cylinder head, a support attached to said cylinder head, a rocker shaft clamped in said support, a fuel injection nozzle structure extending through said support and into said cylinder head, abutment means attached to said fuel injection nozzle structure above said support, separate clamping means in overlying relationship to said support and spaced therefrom by said abutment means, adjustable fastening means to tighten said clamping means upon said abutment means to displace said fuel injection nozzle structure relative to said support and to said cylinder head, said abutment means comprising a fuel inlet fitting for said fuel injection nozzle structure.

14. A subassembly for use in an internal combustion engine of the fuel injection type comprising in combination a cylinder head, a support attached to said cylinder head, a rocker shaft clamped in said support, a fuel injection nozzle structure extending through said support and into said cylinder head, abutment means attached to said fuel injection nozzle structure above said support, separate clamping means in overlying relationship to said support and spaced therefrom by said abutment means, adjustment fastening means to tighten said clamping means upon said abutment means to displace said fuel injection nozzle structure relative to said support and to said cylinder head, said adjustable fastening means comprising pins extending from said support through said clamping means and threaded fasteners to secure said clamping means onto said pins.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS LAURENCE M. GOODRIDGE, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 123-90 

